KF7LJP
Member
- Joined
- Apr 18, 2013
- Messages
- 8
Need some help guys/gals and others... I will try and provide enough background info on build and avaliable equipment on- hand for the fix.
Vehicle: 2017 Ford F250 XLT Crewcab. (No Sunroof),
: has a Bullet Proof Diesel Dual NMO Antenna Mount 3rd Brake Light.
: has Headach Rack (Aluminum) that has 2 Beacon lights, and holds a (steel) bracket on lumber post mounts for "Oversize Load" sign.
: Front Left Fender in use for my Diamand Antenna to My Yaesue FT8900. (KF7LJP)
: WeBoost OTR 4G Cell Signal Booster (mounted Left High on Headache Rack).
Radios are in a newly custom built (wood) cabinet that took the place of the center seat.
Power Runs to a Fuse Block mounted Behind Front Passenger Seat where my Feniex 4200 warning lights brain box is.
Radios are :
President Ronald (11 meter) <brand new from Walcott Radio>
President Ronald (11 Meter) <brand new from Walcott Radio>
QYT 980 Plus ( has my 75 programed Commercial channels for Oversize Movement, going to a NMO dual band Antenna <unknown wave/brand>)
Midland MXT400 (going to a Midland MXTA26 6db <5/8 wave> NMO Antenna) GRMS
Antenna avaliable for use.
2 (used) Stryker SR-A10 (both previously tuned to other radios)
2 (New) Tram-Browning NMO BR-140 (1/4 wave, steel Whip)
2 (New) 3ft Firestik on heavy Duty Springs.
I previously had a Uniden 520pro to both a Stryker SR-A10 and Firestick on the right fender. (SWR was between 2.0 & 2-5)
A Uniden 980 SSB to a Stryker SR-A10 on a Tram NMO adapter on the Bullet Proof Diesel NMO right Side mount. (SWR was between 1.5 & 2.1)
The Midland GRMS went to NMO left side mount.
Since mounting the Radios I can not get a SWR below 3 with any ot the Antenna.
After reading a lot of the forum posts (and finding the 2017 Ford Radio Placemnt post really helpful).. Decided to reach out for clarification of info and best placement suggestions.
1) Center of Roof w NMO is the Absolute best location to put a Antenna.
2) 2 Antenna of the same type/wave length SHOULD NOT be on the same plane both horizontal & vertically.
3) Aluminum is a good enough ground but Mag Mounts ARE NOT possible. (Previously had a Acari Roof Mount with 1/2 steel plate bolted to it for a SR-A10 Mag mount (swr 1.0 to 1.2) and the GRMS Mag mount. but Roof Mount was not reinstalled correctly and broke at 45 mph after truck came out of body shop from getting repairs... great but I digest).
4) yes having all these radios is for a reason before asked. I run as a Pilot/Escort usually as the HiPole or Front Car (the industry wants me 3/4 to 1 1/2 miles in front of the loads) and I usually have 1 radio on the Load and 1 radio on 19 or 17 depending on where we are.
5) UHF/VHF is used rarely, (Mostly when running with Candian Drivers) but have found the handheld don't have the range at movement speed. GRMS is pretty standard for use with folks doing Traffic Control on worksites (Plus I do (did a lot ... 12yrs worth) of TCS work with Flaggers on jobs sites).
So what Antenna should go where?
Thanks for the input, Lee
Vehicle: 2017 Ford F250 XLT Crewcab. (No Sunroof),
: has a Bullet Proof Diesel Dual NMO Antenna Mount 3rd Brake Light.
: has Headach Rack (Aluminum) that has 2 Beacon lights, and holds a (steel) bracket on lumber post mounts for "Oversize Load" sign.
: Front Left Fender in use for my Diamand Antenna to My Yaesue FT8900. (KF7LJP)
: WeBoost OTR 4G Cell Signal Booster (mounted Left High on Headache Rack).
Radios are in a newly custom built (wood) cabinet that took the place of the center seat.
Power Runs to a Fuse Block mounted Behind Front Passenger Seat where my Feniex 4200 warning lights brain box is.
Radios are :
President Ronald (11 meter) <brand new from Walcott Radio>
President Ronald (11 Meter) <brand new from Walcott Radio>
QYT 980 Plus ( has my 75 programed Commercial channels for Oversize Movement, going to a NMO dual band Antenna <unknown wave/brand>)
Midland MXT400 (going to a Midland MXTA26 6db <5/8 wave> NMO Antenna) GRMS
Antenna avaliable for use.
2 (used) Stryker SR-A10 (both previously tuned to other radios)
2 (New) Tram-Browning NMO BR-140 (1/4 wave, steel Whip)
2 (New) 3ft Firestik on heavy Duty Springs.
I previously had a Uniden 520pro to both a Stryker SR-A10 and Firestick on the right fender. (SWR was between 2.0 & 2-5)
A Uniden 980 SSB to a Stryker SR-A10 on a Tram NMO adapter on the Bullet Proof Diesel NMO right Side mount. (SWR was between 1.5 & 2.1)
The Midland GRMS went to NMO left side mount.
Since mounting the Radios I can not get a SWR below 3 with any ot the Antenna.
After reading a lot of the forum posts (and finding the 2017 Ford Radio Placemnt post really helpful).. Decided to reach out for clarification of info and best placement suggestions.
1) Center of Roof w NMO is the Absolute best location to put a Antenna.
2) 2 Antenna of the same type/wave length SHOULD NOT be on the same plane both horizontal & vertically.
3) Aluminum is a good enough ground but Mag Mounts ARE NOT possible. (Previously had a Acari Roof Mount with 1/2 steel plate bolted to it for a SR-A10 Mag mount (swr 1.0 to 1.2) and the GRMS Mag mount. but Roof Mount was not reinstalled correctly and broke at 45 mph after truck came out of body shop from getting repairs... great but I digest).
4) yes having all these radios is for a reason before asked. I run as a Pilot/Escort usually as the HiPole or Front Car (the industry wants me 3/4 to 1 1/2 miles in front of the loads) and I usually have 1 radio on the Load and 1 radio on 19 or 17 depending on where we are.
5) UHF/VHF is used rarely, (Mostly when running with Candian Drivers) but have found the handheld don't have the range at movement speed. GRMS is pretty standard for use with folks doing Traffic Control on worksites (Plus I do (did a lot ... 12yrs worth) of TCS work with Flaggers on jobs sites).
So what Antenna should go where?
Thanks for the input, Lee
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